ORDER OF WORSHIP
Call To Worship
Psalm 96 : 1 – 3
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. 3 Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. 4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods
詩篇 96 : 1 – 4
1 你們要向耶和華唱新歌，全地都要向耶和華歌唱！2 要向耶和華歌唱，稱頌他的名，天天傳揚他的救恩。3 在列邦中述說他的榮耀，在萬民中述說他的奇事。4 因耶和華為大，當受極大的讚美，他在萬神之上，當受敬畏。
Worship Through Songs
Good day Blessed Church of God, beloved of the Lord. May our hearts be filled with his joy that is our strength—secured in the living hope that is ours in our risen Savior and victorious King, Jesus Christ.
One of the most touching scenes in the Bible is found in Genesis chapter 50. It was when the patriarch Jacob died and was buried in Canaan. After the time of mourning has passed and the entire family returned to Egypt, the brothers of Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son who became Pharaoh’s second in command, were fearful that now at last he might avenge the wrongs they had done against him from years before. Scriptures record…
“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
What a remarkable example of forgiveness. What an amazing display of graciousness. What godly humility. It can be said that the incident only actualized the forgiveness already present in the heart of Joseph. Probably, he must have wept, not in recollection of the harm dealt to him, but in recollection of God’s merciful preserving hand that carried him through it all. Remembering how the Lord turned what was meant for evil into good—not just for himself, but for many others—overwhelmed him so. And so he wept. And so he forgave. For recalling how he himself have been the recipient of so much mercy and goodness from God, how could he deny it to his brothers. Thus, in accordance with the comfort and kindness of God that sustained him through the darkest of days, Joseph comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Forward to the New Testament. Jesus, in one of the beatitudes in Matthew 5, said, ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy’. Yet, considering God’s love for sinners, rebels, and enemies—as displayed on the cross–we have actually been shown mercy far beyond any modicum of mercy we might have given. In fact, it is precisely because of this undeserved grace and freely given mercy, that we can be transformed into people capable of showing mercy and extending grace. Because we have been shown mercy, we can thus—and must— be merciful. Just like Joseph with his brothers. Indeed, it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. It is his love that enables us to love. Let us meditate on this and worship him today.
‘Gracious and merciful God, we humble ourselves once more before your throne. We acknowledge that in the first place, we do not deserve to come near You by any merit of our own, but because of your mercy and grace in Christ Jesus your Son, we, who are washed in his blood and clothed in his righteousness through faith in him, are accepted and beloved by You and are welcomed in your holy presence. You love us with an everlasting love even through the thick and thin of life—through the ups and downs of our relationship with You. We are utterly amazed by your unchanging goodness, and in awe of your unyielding faithfulness.
Everything is from You, through You and for You—our lives, our hopes, our dreams, our comfort, and strength for this journey. Cause us to learn to love as You love; to be gracious as You are gracious; and to extend mercy to others as You have extended mercy to us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Lord Jesus, thank You for saving us, cleansing us, accepting us, and abiding inside us through your Holy Spirit. May we live each day convinced that this world is not our home and that we are citizens of heaven, serving the good and gracious King of Kings, who loved us and gave—and continues to give—himself to us. In your name we pray. Amen.’
Anthem
Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus
Scripture Reading
Matthew 5 : 43 – 48 (ESV)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
馬 太 福 音 5 : 43 – 48 (CUV)
43 你 們 聽 見 有 話 說 ： 當 愛 你 的 鄰 舍 ， 恨 你 的 仇 敵 。
44 只 是 我 告 訴 你 們 ， 要 愛 你 們 的 仇 敵 ， 為 那 逼 迫 你 們 的 禱 告 。
45 這 樣 就 可 以 作 你 們 天 父 的 兒 子 ； 因 為 他 叫 日 頭 照 好 人 ， 也 照 歹 人 ； 降 雨 給 義 人 ， 也 給 不 義 的 人 。
46 你 們 若 單 愛 那 愛 你 們 的 人 ， 有 甚 麼 賞 賜 呢 ？ 就 是 稅 吏 不 也 是 這 樣 行 麼 ？
47 你 們 若 單 請 你 弟 兄 的 安 ， 比 人 有 甚 麼 長 處 呢 ？ 就 是 外 邦 人 不 也 是 這 樣 行 麼 ？
48 所 以 ， 你 們 要 完 全 ， 像 你 們 的 天 父 完 全 一 樣 。
Sermon
Rev. Alvin Rival:
林國安傳道:
Tithes And Offering
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Response Song
1 Comment
Bro Tony
Beautiful songs & message, ty